By Debi Swick-Cruse
Potomac State College
KEYSER — As long as she can remember, Dinah Courrier has had a passion for Potomac State College of West Virginia University.
“Both of my parents attended Potomac State and I had great admiration for Leonard and Anne Withers, a brother and sister combo who taught at the college and also attended my church. He taught music; she taught English. I also took piano lessons in the Music Building, which is now the site of University Place,” Courrier said.
After earning her associate’s degree in 1964 from Potomac State, Courrier continued her education at WVU, earning a bachelor’s degree in business education and English. She obtained her master’s degree in education with a concentration in English from Frostburg State University.
Courrier began her career at PSC in 1978 as a part-time lecturer in business technology. However, while employed at the college, Courrier has worn many hats. From 2000 – 2002 she served as interim dean of academic affairs, was involved with the Early Start Program, has served as division chair and as the Centennial chairperson.
She has co-edited two books: “Potomac State College. The College Series, 2001” and “A Pictorial
History of Keyser, 1974-1994.”
Courrier currently serves as professor of office systems technology, social justice liaison, retention coordinator and as the off-campus instruction coordinator. She has served as the adviser for the Sigma Phi Omega Honor Society for 14 years.
Just last year Courrier was honored with The West Virginia University Neil S. Bucklew Award for Social Justice. She has served as Potomac State’s Social Justice Liaison for the past 13 years, bringing culturally diverse programs to the College for the students and the community.
Courrier assisted with coordinating the Howard High School History Project, which celebrates the history of a former segregated school.
She was also responsible for introducing Multicultural Day to the PSC campus which not only celebrates other nationalities, but also the college’s many international students.
However, all of this was just the beginning of Courrier’s legacy with the college. Courrier’s husband, Jim, a local dentist, also graduated from PSC as did her son, Jay, prosecuting attorney for Mineral County.
Her daughter, Heather Ack, a WVU College of Law graduate and Human Resources professional at ATK, and daughter Tona Williams, a dentist who graduated from the WVU School of Dentistry graduated from Potomac State as well. A third daughter, Amy Courrier, graduated from Shepherd but took classes at PSC. She is a substitute teacher.
Courrier is also quite active in the community, holding membership in the Keyser Rotary Club, where she is a past president and the current secretary. She is a member of the Mineral County Historical Society and serves as a board member of the Potomac Highlands Guild and the WVU Lutheran Campus Foundation. Courrier is a lay minister and teaches Sunday school at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Courrier will retire this year after 32 years of employment with PSC.
“My journey with Potomac State has been a wonderful journey; I have loved my years here and the different roles I have played. My reward is seeing former students who have become successful, like Mineral County’s last two Teachers of the Year, Kelly Stanislawczyk and Sheila Powell.
“However, I am looking forward to the next adventure, which will include spending more time with my nine grandchildren, traveling, and working on some community projects,” she said.
Keyser, W.Va. —
